U.S. patent application number 10/565825 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-02 for broadcast channel change detection apparatus provided with detection device for detecting change of channel of the broadcase wave.
Invention is credited to Reiji Agusa, Kinya Kanno, Yasushi Yoneda.
Application Number | 20060245446 10/565825 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34100834 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060245446 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Agusa; Reiji ; et
al. |
November 2, 2006 |
BROADCAST CHANNEL CHANGE DETECTION APPARATUS PROVIDED WITH
DETECTION DEVICE FOR DETECTING CHANGE OF CHANNEL OF THE BROADCASE
WAVE
Abstract
A broadcast channel change detection apparatus receives a
broadcast wave including channel change information that includes a
change date and time of a physical channel of the broadcast wave
and physical channels before and after the change, and searches and
detects channel change plan information including the change date
and time regarding the physical channel to be changed in a
television receiver apparatus and the physical channels before and
after the change, based on the channel change information. Next,
the broadcast channel change detection apparatus receives the
broadcast wave on the physical channel after the change in the
channel change plan information, and judges whether or not the
broadcast wave is actually receivable based on the detected channel
change plan information, when the change date and time in the
channel change plan information is older than or equal to a current
date and time.
Inventors: |
Agusa; Reiji; (Itami-shi,
JP) ; Yoneda; Yasushi; (Ikeda-shi, JP) ;
Kanno; Kinya; (Suita-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WENDEROTH, LIND & PONACK L.L.P.
2033 K. STREET, NW
SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20006
US
|
Family ID: |
34100834 |
Appl. No.: |
10/565825 |
Filed: |
July 23, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
July 23, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP04/10878 |
371 Date: |
June 8, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
370/432 ;
348/E5.097 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/4383 20130101;
H04N 21/4334 20130101; H04N 21/4583 20130101; H04N 21/44209
20130101; H04N 21/4586 20130101; H04N 21/485 20130101; H04N
21/47214 20130101; H04N 21/4345 20130101; H04N 21/4882 20130101;
H04N 5/50 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
370/432 |
International
Class: |
H04J 3/26 20060101
H04J003/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 25, 2003 |
JP |
2003-279810 |
Claims
1-15. (canceled)
16. A broadcast channel change detection apparatus comprising a
detection device for receiving a broadcast wave including channel
change information that includes a change date and time of a
physical channel of the broadcast wave and physical channels before
and after the change, and for searching and detecting channel
change plan information that includes the change date and time
regarding the physical channel to be changed in a television
receiver apparatus and the physical channels before and after the
change, based on the channel change information.
17. A broadcast channel change detection apparatus comprising: a
first storage device for previously storing channel preset
information including a physical channel of a broadcast wave
received by a television receiver apparatus; and a detection device
for receiving the broadcast wave including channel change
information that includes a change date and time of the physical
channel of the broadcast wave and physical channels before and
after the change, and for searching and detecting channel change
plan information that includes the change date and time regarding
the physical channel to be changed in said television receiver
apparatus and the physical channels before and after the change,
based on the channel preset information and the channel change
information.
18. The broadcast channel change detection apparatus as claimed in
claim 16, further comprising a judgment device for receiving the
broadcast wave on the physical channel after the change in the
channel change plan information, and for judging whether or not the
broadcast wave is actually receivable based on the detected channel
change plan information, when the change date and time in the
channel change plan information is older than or equal to a current
date and time.
19. The broadcast channel change detection apparatus as claimed in
claim 18, wherein said judgment device stores the physical channels
before and after the change regarding the broadcast wave that is
actually receivable, in a second storage device as a channel shift
list.
20. The broadcast channel change detection apparatus as claimed in
claim 19, further comprising a notification device for notifying a
user of information of the stored channel shift list.
21. The broadcast channel change detection apparatus as claimed in
claim 19, further comprising an update device for updating the
channel preset information including the physical channel of the
broadcast wave received by the television receiver apparatus, based
on the information of the stored channel shift list.
22. The broadcast channel change detection apparatus as claimed in
claim 16, further comprising a notification device for notifying a
user of the detected channel change plan information.
23. The broadcast channel change detection apparatus as claimed in
claim 17, further comprising a notification device for notifying a
user of the detected channel change plan information.
24. The broadcast channel change detection apparatus as claimed in
claim 16, further comprising an update device for updating the
channel preset information including the physical channel of the
broadcast wave received by the television receiver apparatus, based
on the detected channel change plan information.
25. The broadcast channel change detection apparatus as claimed in
claim 17, further comprising an update device for updating the
channel preset information including the physical channel of the
broadcast wave received by the television receiver apparatus, based
on the detected channel change plan information.
26. A recording apparatus comprising: a recording device for
receiving a broadcast wave, and recording video and audio signals
of the received broadcast wave; and a detection device for
receiving the broadcast wave including channel change information
that includes a change date and time of a physical channel of the
broadcast wave and physical channels before and after the change,
and for searching and detecting channel change plan information
that includes the change date and time regarding the physical
channel to be changed in a television receiver apparatus and the
physical channels before and after the change, based on the channel
change information.
27. A recording apparatus comprising: a recording device for
receiving a broadcast wave by a television receiver apparatus, and
recording video and audio signals of the received broadcast wave; a
storage device for previously storing channel preset information
including a physical channel of the received broadcast wave; and a
detection device for receiving the broadcast wave including channel
change information that includes a change date and time of a
physical channel of the broadcast wave and physical channels before
and after the change, and for searching and detecting channel
change plan information that includes the change date and time
regarding the physical channel to be changed in said television
receiver apparatus and the physical channels before and after the
change, based on the channel preset information and the channel
change information.
28. The recording apparatus as claimed in claim 26, further
comprising a controller for judging whether or not a physical
channel after the change is present based on the channel change
plan information upon executing a reserved recording process, for
receiving the broadcast wave on the physical channel after the
change in the channel change plan information and judging whether
or not the broadcast wave is actually receivable when the physical
channel after the change is present, and for executing the
recording process when the broadcast wave is actually
receivable.
29. The recording apparatus as claimed in claim 28, wherein said
controller notifies a user that the recording process failed when
the broadcast wave is actually non-receivable.
30. The recording apparatus as claimed in claim 26, further
comprising a controller for judging whether or not a physical
channel after the change is present based on the channel shift list
upon executing a reserved recording process, for receiving the
broadcast wave on the physical channel after the change in the
channel shift list and judging whether or not the broadcast wave is
actually receivable when the physical channel after the change is
present, and for executing the recording process when the broadcast
wave is actually receivable.
31. The recording apparatus as claimed in claim 30, wherein said
controller notifies a user that the recording process failed when
the broadcast wave is actually non-receivable.
32. A television receiver apparatus for receiving a broadcast wave,
and displaying and outputting video and audio signals of the
received broadcast wave, respectively, said television receiver
apparatus comprising a detection device for receiving a broadcast
wave including channel change information that includes a change
date and time of a physical channel of the broadcast wave and
physical channels before and after the change, and for searching
and detecting channel change plan information that includes the
change date and time regarding the physical channel to be changed
in said television receiver apparatus and the physical channels
before and after the change, based on the channel change
information.
33. A television receiver apparatus for receiving a broadcast wave,
and displaying and outputting video and audio signals of the
received broadcast wave, respectively, said television receiver
apparatus comprising: a storage device for previously storing
channel preset information including a physical channel of the
received broadcast wave; and a detection device for receiving the
broadcast wave including channel change information that includes a
change date and time of a physical channel of the broadcast wave
and physical channels before and after the change, and for
searching and detecting channel change plan information that
includes the change date and time regarding the physical channel to
be changed in said television receiver apparatus and the physical
channels before and after the change, based on the channel preset
information and the channel change information.
34. A television receiver apparatus for receiving a broadcast wave,
and displaying and outputting video and audio signals of the
received broadcast wave, respectively, said television receiver
apparatus comprising: a recording device recording video and audio
signals of the received broadcast wave; and a detection device for
receiving the broadcast wave including channel change information
that includes a change date and time of a physical channel of the
broadcast wave and physical channels before and after the change,
and for searching and detecting channel change plan information
that includes the change date and time regarding the physical
channel to be changed in a television receiver apparatus and the
physical channels before and after the change, based on the channel
change information.
35. A television receiver apparatus for receiving a broadcast wave,
and displaying and outputting video and audio signals of the
received broadcast wave, respectively, said television receiver
apparatus comprising: a recording device recording video and audio
signals of the received broadcast wave; and a storage device for
previously storing channel preset information including a physical
channel of the received broadcast wave received by said television
receiver apparatus; and a detection device for receiving the
broadcast wave including channel change information that includes a
change date and time of a physical channel of the broadcast wave
and physical channels before and after the change, and for
searching and detecting channel change plan information that
includes the change date and time regarding the physical channel to
be changed in said television receiver apparatus and the physical
channels before and after the change, based on the channel preset
information and the channel change information.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a broadcast channel change
detection apparatus for detecting and confirming a change of a
broadcast channel of a broadcast wave, and relates to a recording
apparatus and a television receiver apparatus using the broadcast
channel change detection apparatus.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In recent years, for example, with starting broadcasting of
a terrestrial digital broadcasting station, existing broadcast
channels are changed, and new broadcast channels are added so as to
prevent overlapping of the new broadcast channels on the existing
broadcast channels due to addition of the new broadcast channels.
In this case, a user reexecutes a so-called "channel search" after
the broadcast channels are changed. Then, all broadcast channels
are swept, and a broadcast wave signal having an electric field
intensity equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value
is detected, and then, a broadcast channel of the detected
broadcast wave signal is set to "preset information".
[0003] As an apparatus including a function of automatically
acquiring channel selection data according to a prior art, an
automatic channel selection apparatus including (a) a memory for
storing channel selection data, and (b) an automatic channel
selection control section for sequentially executing a preset
channel selection by allowing a tuner control section to
automatically perform a channel selection operation and storing the
channel selection data in the memory, is disclosed in, for example,
the Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-307406. First of
all, the automatic channel selection apparatus judges whether or
not the memory is in an initial state. When it is judged that the
memory is in the initial state, the automatic channel selection
apparatus issues an instruction to the automatic channel selection
control section so as to automatically select a channel. Then, the
automatic channel selection apparatus starts an automatic channel
selection operation to preset the channel selection data in the
memory. By employing the automatic channel selection apparatus of
the prior art, the channel selection data can be represet without
any user's execution of preset instruction operation.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0004] However, in the above-stated prior art, although the
"channel search" is automatically executed only when the memory is
completely in the initial state or contents of the memory are lost,
the apparatus of the prior art is incapable of dealing with a case
in which a broadcast channel is changed while the presetting has
been already completed. Namely, the user cannot recognize that the
broadcast channel is changed until the "channel search" is
executed, and can not instantly recognize that there is a change of
the broadcast channel. As a result, it is disadvantageously
inconvenient for the user.
[0005] In addition, a broadcasting station sometimes transmits
"channel change plan information" in advance over a broadcast wave,
which includes planned date and time information for changing the
broadcast channel, and channel information before and after the
change. However, an error on the date and time may generate
depending on the broadcasting station. It is sometimes impossible
to follow an actual change of the broadcast channel only based on
the "channel change plan information" received in advance.
Therefore, the above-stated prior art has such a problem that the
broadcast wave often cannot be actually be receivable depending on
the broadcast channel.
[0006] Further, if the "preset information" is updated without
notifying the user of the update, the broadcast wave on a broadcast
channel, which is different from the broadcast channel, and on
which the broadcast wave is received by an operational method of
the prior art, is received when the broadcast wave is received
using the "preset information". As a result, even if the broadcast
channel is changed, the user does not know on which broadcast
channel the broadcast wave is received, and this leads to confusion
for the user.
[0007] It is a first object of the present invention to provide a
broadcast channel change detection apparatus, that can solve the
above-stated problems, detect a broadcast channel change without
any user's execution of a "channel search", and that can prevent a
non-receivable state resulting from an error between a channel
change date and time planned by a broadcasting station and an
actual channel change date and time, from being reflected in the
"preset information".
[0008] In addition, it is a second object of the present invention
to provide a broadcast channel change detection apparatus, that can
confirm whether or not a broadcast wave on the broadcast channel is
actually receivable when the broadcast channel change is
detected.
[0009] Further, it is a third object of the present invention to
provide a broadcast channel change detection apparatus, that can
notify a user of such a message, that the broadcast channel change
is detected or reception of the broadcast wave on the broadcast
channel is confirmed, when the broadcast channel change is detected
or reception of the broadcast wave on the broadcast channel is
confirmed.
[0010] Still further, it is a fourth object of the present
invention to provide a broadcast channel change detection apparatus
that can automatically update the "preset information" when the
broadcast channel change is detected, or the reception of the
broadcast wave on the broadcast channel is confirmed.
[0011] Still further, it is a fifth object of the present invention
to provide a recording apparatus and a television receiver
apparatus, each of which includes the above-mentioned broadcast
channel change detection apparatus.
[0012] According to the first aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a broadcast channel change detection apparatus
comprising detection means. The detection means receives a
broadcast wave including channel change information that includes a
change date and time of a physical channel of the broadcast wave
and physical channels before and after the change, and searches and
detects channel change plan information that includes the change
date and time regarding the physical channel to be changed in a
television receiver apparatus and the physical channels before and
after the change, based on the channel change information.
[0013] According to the second aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a broadcast channel change detection apparatus
comprising: first storage means and detection means. The first
storage means previously stores channel preset information
including a physical channel of a broadcast wave received by a
television receiver apparatus. The detection means receives the
broadcast wave including channel change information that includes a
change date and time of the physical channel of the broadcast wave
and physical channels before and after the change, and searches and
detects channel change plan information that includes the change
date and time regarding the physical channel to be changed in said
television receiver apparatus and the physical channels before and
after the change, based on the channel preset information and the
channel change information.
[0014] In the above-mentioned broadcast channel change detection
apparatus, the broadcast channel change detection apparatus further
includes judgment means. The judgment means receives the broadcast
wave on the physical channel after the change in the channel change
plan information, and judges whether or not the broadcast wave is
actually receivable based on the detected channel change plan
information, when the change date and time in the channel change
plan information is older than or equal to a current date and time.
In this case, the judgment means stores the physical channels
before and after the change regarding the broadcast wave that is
actually receivable, in second storage means as a channel shift
list.
[0015] In addition, in the above-mentioned broadcast channel change
detection apparatus, the broadcast channel change detection
apparatus further includes notification means. The notification
means notifies a user of information of the stored channel shift
list. Alternatively, in the above-mentioned broadcast channel
change detection apparatus, the broadcast channel change detection
apparatus further includes update means. The update means updates
the channel preset information including the physical channel of
the broadcast wave received by the television receiver apparatus,
based on the information of the stored channel shift list.
[0016] Further, in the above-mentioned broadcast channel change
detection apparatus, the broadcast channel change detection
apparatus further includes notification means. The notification
means notifies a user of the detected channel change plan
information. Alternatively, in the above-mentioned broadcast
channel change detection apparatus, the broadcast channel change
detection apparatus further includes update means. The update means
updates the channel preset information including the physical
channel of the broadcast wave received by the television receiver
apparatus, based on the detected channel change plan
information.
[0017] According to the third aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a recording apparatus including the
above-mentioned broadcast channel change detection apparatus, and
recording means. The recording means receives the broadcast wave,
and records video and audio signals of the received broadcast
wave.
[0018] In the above-mentioned recording apparatus, the recording
apparatus further includes control means. The control means judges
whether or not a physical channel after the change is present based
on the channel change plan information upon executing a reserved
recording process, receives the broadcast wave on the physical
channel after the change in the channel change plan information and
judging whether or not the broadcast wave is actually receivable
when the physical channel after the change is present, and executes
the recording process when the broadcast wave is actually
receivable. In this case, the control means notifies a user that
the recording process failed when the broadcast wave is actually
non-receivable.
[0019] In the above-mentioned recording apparatus, the recording
apparatus further includes control means. The control means judges
whether or not a physical channel after the change is present based
on the channel shift list upon executing a reserved recording
process, receives the broadcast wave on the physical channel after
the change in the channel shift list and judging whether or not the
broadcast wave is actually receivable when the physical channel
after the change is present, and executes the recording process
when the broadcast wave is actually receivable. In this case, the
control means notifies a user that the recording process failed
when the broadcast wave is actually non-receivable.
[0020] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a television receiver apparatus for receiving a
broadcast wave, and displaying and outputting video and audio
signals of the received broadcast wave, respectively. The
television receiver apparatus includes the above-mentioned
broadcast channel change detection apparatus.
[0021] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a television receiver apparatus for receiving a
broadcast wave, and displaying and outputting video and audio
signals of the received broadcast wave, respectively. The
television receiver apparatus includes the above-mentioned
recording apparatus.
[0022] Therefore, the broadcast channel change detection apparatus
according to the present invention can search and automatically
detect the channel change plan information including the change
date and time regarding the physical channel to be changed in the
television receiver apparatus, and the physical channels before and
after the change. Therefore, it is possible to detect that the
broadcast channel is changed without any user's execution of the
"channel search" or the like, and to prevent a non-receivable state
resulting from an error between the change date and time of the
channel planned by the broadcasting station and an actual change
date and time from being reflected in the "preset information".
[0023] In addition, when the change date and time in the channel
change plan information is older than or equal to the current date
and time, the broadcast channel change detection apparatus receives
the broadcast wave on the physical channel after the change in the
channel change plan information, and judges whether or not the
broadcast wave is actually receivable based on the detected channel
change plan information. Then, the broadcast channel change
detection apparatus stores the physical channels before and after
the change regarding the broadcast wave that is actually receivable
in the second storage means as the channel shift list. Therefore,
it is possible to confirm whether or not the broadcast wave on the
broadcast channel is actually receivable when the broadcast channel
change is detected.
[0024] Further, when the broadcast channel change is detected or
reception of the broadcast wave on the broadcast channel is
confirmed, it is possible to notify a user of such a message that
the broadcast channel change is detected or reception of the
broadcast wave on the broadcast channel is confirmed, or to update
the "preset information" appropriately.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a
television receiver apparatus that includes a broadcast channel
change detection function according to a preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing one example of a configuration
of a channel preset information table 31 in a data memory 30 of
FIG. 1.
[0027] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing one example of a configuration
of a channel change plan information table 32 in the data memory 30
of FIG. 1.
[0028] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing one example of a configuration
of a channel shift list table 35 in the data memory 30 of FIG.
1.
[0029] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing one example of a configuration
of a recording reservation table 36 in the data memory 30 of FIG.
1.
[0030] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a first part of a processing
for detecting, confirming, and notifying a broadcast channel
change, which is executed by an apparatus controller 20 of FIG.
1.
[0031] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a second part of the
processing for detecting, confirming, and notifying the broadcast
channel change, which is executed by the apparatus controller 20 of
FIG. 1.
[0032] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a third part of the processing
for detecting, confirming, and notifying the broadcast channel
change, which is executed by the apparatus controller 20 of FIG.
1.
[0033] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a first processing for
executing a recording reservation, which is executed by the
apparatus controller 20 of FIG. 1.
[0034] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a second processing for
executing the recording reservation, which is executed by the
apparatus controller 20 of FIG. 1.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0035] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be
described hereinafter with reference to the drawings.
[0036] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a
television receiver apparatus that includes a broadcast channel
change detection function according to a preferred embodiment of
the present invention. An apparatus controller 20 of the television
receiver apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention is characterized as follows. The apparatus
controller 20 executes a processing for detecting, confirming, and
notifying a broadcast channel change, which is shown in FIGS. 6 to
8, to detect a change of a broadcast channel of a broadcast wave,
to confirm whether or not the broadcast wave on the broadcast
channel is actually receivable, and to notify such a message that
the broadcast wave on the broadcast channel is actually receivable,
or update preset information in a channel preset information table
31 stored in a data memory 30 based on a confirmation result.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 1, a broadcast wave is received by a
broadcast wave tuner circuit 11 via an antenna 11A. The broadcast
wave tuner circuit 11 executes processings, such as low noise
amplification, frequency conversion, intermediate frequency
amplification, and demodulation and the like, on a radio signal on
the received broadcast wave. The, the broadcast wave tuner circuit
11 extracts from the radio signal into video and audio signals, and
outputs the video and audio signals to a video signal processing
circuit 11 and an audio signal processing circuit 12, respectively.
The video signal processing circuit 11 executes signal processings
such as descrambling and decoding on the inputted video signal, and
then, outputs the resultant video signal to an RGB processor 13 and
a DVD recorder 17. The audio signal processing circuit 12 executes
processings such as descrambling and decoding on the inputted audio
signal, and then, outputs the resultant audio signal to each of an
amplifier 15 and the DVD recorder 17. The RGB processor 13 combines
the video signal from the video signal processing circuit 11 with a
video signal from a video signal generator circuit 18. Then, the
RGB processor 13 converts the combined video signal into an RGB
signal, and outputs the RGB signal to a display 14 such as a liquid
crystal display to display the RGB signal on the display 14. The
amplifier 15 combines audio signals on two channels from the audio
signal processing circuit 12, with audio signals on two channels
from an audio signal generator circuit 19. Then, the amplifier 15
amplifies powers of the combined audio signals on the two channels,
and outputs the audio signals on the two channels to two
loudspeakers 16A and 16B, respectively. Further, based on a control
signal from the apparatus controller 20, the DVD recorder 17
records the inputted video and audio signals on an optical disk
such as a DVD, a CD-RW, or the like. On the other hand, the DVD
recorder 17 reproduces the video and audio signals stored in the
optical disk.
[0038] According to the preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the audio signals on the two channels are processed.
However, the present invention is not limited to this. An audio
signal on one channel, audio signals of 5.1-channel sound, or audio
signals on a plurality of channels may be processed.
[0039] The apparatus controller 20 controls operation of an entire
television receiver 100 including the DVD recorder 17. It is noted
that a clock circuit 21, a keyboard 22, an infrared signal receiver
circuit 23, and a data memory 30 are connected to the apparatus
controller 20. In addition, the clock circuit 21 counts a current
date and time, and outputs data on the current date and time to the
apparatus controller 20. The clock circuit 21 may correct the
counted current date and time based on current date and time
information, for example, included in a broadcast wave, or based on
current date and time information received via a communication line
such as the Internet or the like. Further, the apparatus controller
20 may use the current date and time information, for example,
included in the broadcast wave without processing the current date
and time information. As described later in detail, the data memory
30 includes various tables 31 to 36 and a temporary memory 37 for
temporarily saving and storing various types of data. Data and
instruction information inputted by a user with the keyboard 22 are
inputted to the apparatus controller 20. An infrared signal, which
includes a remote control message, and which is inputted from an
infrared transmitter section 40A of a remote controller 40 that
remotely controls operation of the television receiver apparatus,
is received and decoded by the infrared signal receiver circuit 23.
The decoded data is inputted to the apparatus controller 20.
[0040] Further, the apparatus controller 20 executes the processing
for detecting, confirming, and notifying the broadcast channel
change, which is shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, with reference to the
various tables and data stored in the data memory 30 to be
described later in detail. Therefore, the apparatus controller 20
detects the change of the broadcast channel for the broadcast wave,
confirms whether or not the broadcast wave on the broadcast channel
is actually receivable, and notifies such a message that the
broadcast wave on the broadcast channel is actually receivable, or
updates the preset information in the channel preset information
table 31 stored in the data memory 30 based on the confirmation
result.
[0041] When a channel shift list image display mode, for example,
is set, the apparatus controller 20 allows the video signal
generator circuit 18 to generate a video signal regarding data in
the channel shift list table 35 stored in the data memory 30, and
displays the generated video signal on the display 14. Further, in
a processing for executing a recording reservation shown in FIG. 9
or 10, the apparatus controller 20 allows the video signal
generator circuit 18 to generate a video signal regarding such a
message that "broadcasting station selected at start of recording
reservation process was not found, and execution of recording
reservation process was failed", and displays the message on the
display 14. When a channel shift list audio output mode is set, the
apparatus controller 20 allows the audio signal generator circuit
19 to generate an audio signal regarding data in the channel shift
list table 35 stored in the data memory 30, and outputs the
generated audio signal via the loudspeakers 16A and 16B. Further,
while a preset automatic change mode based on a channel shift list
is set, the apparatus controller 20 automatically updates preset
information in the channel preset information table 31 based on the
data in the channel shift list table 35 stored in the data memory
30.
[0042] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing one example of a configuration
of the channel preset information table 31 in the data memory 30 of
FIG. 1. As apparent from FIG. 2, the channel preset information
table 31 stores so-called "preset information" previously inputted,
for example, with the keyboard 22. The channel preset information
table 31 stores a display channel, which is a channel number to be
displayed on a screen of the display 14 and a physical channel
corresponding to a broadcast wave frequency for actually receiving
a broadcast wave, for every key number (also referred to as a
position number) for channel selection provided on the remote
controller 40.
[0043] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a
predetermined broadcast wave is received. Then, "channel change
information" including a planned change date and time upon changing
a current broadcast channel to a predetermined broadcast channel,
information on broadcast channels before and after the change, and
the like, and "channel change detail information", which is
detailed information on the channel change information, are
extracted from a data part in a data broadcast on a received
predetermined broadcast wave. Then, the processing for detecting,
confirming, and notifying the broadcast channel change according to
the preferred embodiment of the present invention is executed.
Concretely, in Japan, the "channel change information" and the
"channel change detail information" can be acquired from, for
example, an SDTT (Software Download Trigger Table) and detail
information provided by "an engineering service" that is a detail
information service for the SDTT. In this case, the SDTT is a table
that transmits schedule information on differential data on
software, and the SDTT is triggered by reception of "channel
frequency change information" to shift to a processing for
acquiring "frequency change detail information". The SDTT transmits
minimum necessary information (e.g., a target area, start year,
month and day for the change, a change work operation time
interval, and the like), with which the SDTT can deal. Further, the
engineering service transmits more detail information (e.g., the
channel lists before and after the change, a change day, and the
like). The detail information of the engineering service includes,
for example, the following information and the like:
[0044] (1) Area identification: an area identification value
indicating a service area.
[0045] (2) The number of network loops: the number of broadcasting
stations that takes charge the aforementioned service area as a
service area, and number includes the number of planned newly
opened broadcasting stations as well as the number of currently
operating broadcasting stations.
[0046] (3) Network identification: network identification for the
aforementioned terrestrial digital television broadcasts.
[0047] (4) Transport stream identification: transport stream
identification for the aforementioned terrestrial digital
television broadcasts.
[0048] (5) Version number: a version of frequency information on
the aforementioned network is indicated.
[0049] (6) Schedule number: a schedule number such as a frequency
change and a newly opened station is described. When there is no
change, zero is described as the schedule number.
[0050] (7) Start year, month, and day: start date and time for a
change work operation is indicated.
[0051] (8) Duration: a time interval required for the change is
described as the number of days.
[0052] (9) Number of changed detail information: the number of
transmitter stations to be changed regarding operations during the
above-mentioned time interval on the aforementioned network is
described.
[0053] (10) Transmitter station identification: identification of
the transmitter station to be changed is described, and a
nationwide unique value is allocated.
[0054] (11) Change year, month, and day: a specific operation day
is described as a differential value from the start day. However,
it is noted that a receiver needs to consider that an actual
operation execution day is slightly different from the described
execution day. The change day is not a test radio wave transmission
day but a construction work completion day. After the change day,
make it a fundamental rule to keep transmitting the radio wave
stably.
[0055] (12) Change time: change time is described in units of
hours. However, it is noted that the receiver needs to consider
that an actual change time is slightly different from the described
change time.
[0056] (13) Simultaneous operation time interval: when the
broadcast wave is transmitted for a certain time interval even at a
previous frequency in a simultaneous operation, the time interval
is described by the number of days. As the simultaneous operation
time interval, a simultaneous time interval after the change day is
described.
[0057] (14) Physical channel number before change: a physical
channel number before a change is described. Zero is described for
a newly opened station.
[0058] (15) Physical channel number after change: a physical
channel number after the change is described. When a broadcast
program is finished due to management integration or the like, zero
is described.
[0059] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing one example of a configuration
of the channel change plan information table 32 stored in the data
memory 30 of FIG. 1. The channel change plan information table 32
of FIG. 3 is an information table obtained by extracting change
plan information in the aforementioned service area in the
television receiver apparatus according to the preferred embodiment
of the present invention. The channel change plan information table
32 stores a change date and time of one broadcast wave and physical
channels before and after a change for every storage address. When
the "change date and time" is elapsed at the extraction of the
aforementioned information, "elapsed" is described.
[0060] The channel change information table 33 in the data memory
30 of FIG. 1 stores the "channel change information" extracted from
a received predetermined broadcast wave. The channel change detail
information table 34 stored in the data memory 30 of FIG. 1 stores
the "channel change detail information" extracted from the received
broadcast wave.
[0061] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing one example of a configuration
of the channel shift list table 35 stored in the data memory 30 of
FIG. 1. The channel shift list table 35 of FIG. 4 stores a list of
channels to be shifted in the television receiver apparatus.
Concretely, the channel shift list table 35 stores physical
channels before and after the change for every storage address.
[0062] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing one example of a configuration
of the recording reservation table 36 stored in the data memory 30
of FIG. 1. The recording reservation table 36 of FIG. 5 stores a
list for recording reservations. Concretely, the recording
reservation table 36 stores a start date and time for a recording
reservation, an end date and time for the recording reservation,
and a key number (which enables a corresponding physical channel to
be specified by referring to the channel preset information table
31) for every reservation number.
[0063] FIGS. 6 to 8 are flowcharts showing a processing for
detecting, confirming, and notifying a broadcast channel change,
which is executed by the apparatus controller 20 of FIG. 1. The
processing for detecting, confirming, and notifying a broadcast
channel change consists of the following three partial
processings.
[0064] (1) A "processing for detecting the broadcast channel
change" from steps S1 to S12 of FIG. 6: This is a processing for
creating the channel change plan information table 32 including the
change date and time regarding the broadcast channel planned to be
changed or already changed in the service area, and physical
channels before and after the change, based on the "channel change
information" and the "channel change detail information".
[0065] (2) A "processing for confirming the broadcast channel" from
steps S21 to S28 of FIG. 7: This is a processing for confirming
whether or not a broadcast wave on the changed broadcast channel is
actually receivable based on the created channel change plan
information table 32, and for creating the channel shift list table
35 as a confirmation result.
[0066] (3) A "processing for notifying the broadcast channel" from
steps S31 to S37 of FIG. 8: This is a processing for notifying the
user of a message of data in the created channel shift list table
35 by an image or speech synthesis, or for updating the channel
preset information table 31 based on the data in the channel shift
list table 35.
[0067] First of all, at step S1 of FIG. 6, the apparatus controller
20 controls the broadcast wave tuner circuit 10 to select a
broadcast wave on which "channel change information" is broadcast.
At step S2, the apparatus controller 20 receives the "channel
change information", and stores the "channel change information" in
the channel change information table 33. At step S3, it is judged
whether or not a version of the received "channel change
information" is newer than a version of the channel change
information previously received and stored in the channel change
information table 33. If YES at step S3, the control flow proceeds
to step S4. On the other hand, if NO at step S3, the control flow
proceeds to step S21 of FIG. 7. At step S4, the apparatus
controller 20 controls the broadcast wave tuner circuit 10 to
select a broadcast wave on which channel change detail information
is broadcast. At step S5, the apparatus controller 20 receives the
"channel change detail information" within a user's service area,
and stores the received "channel change detail information" in the
channel change detail information table 34. The control flow then
proceeds to step S6.
[0068] At step S6, the apparatus controller 20 selects one
unprocessed data from among the "channel change detail information"
stored in the channel change detail information table 34. At step
S7, it is judged whether or not a planned change date and time
regarding the selected data is older than or equal to a current
date and time. If YES at step S7, the control flow proceeds to step
S8. On the other hand, if NO at step S7, the control flow proceeds
to step S11. At step S8, it is judged whether or not a physical
channel after a change is stored in the channel preset information
table 31. If YES at step S8, the control flow proceeds to step S9.
On the other hand, if NO at step S8, the control flow proceeds to
step S10. At step S9, since the physical channel has been already
changed in the channel preset information table 31, the apparatus
controller 20 deletes the selected data from the channel change
detail information table 34, and the control flow proceeds to step
S12. At step S10, since the physical channel is not changed in the
channel preset information table 31, the apparatus controller 20
stores the physical channels before and after the change regarding
the selected data to be changed in the channel change plan
information table 32, and stores "elapsed" as the change date and
time therein, then the control flow proceeds to step S12. At step
S11, since the physical channel is not changed in the channel
preset information table 31, the apparatus controller 20 stores
physical channels before and after the change regarding the
selected data to be changed together with the change date and time
in the channel change plan information table 32, and the control
flow proceeds to step S12. At step S12, it is judged whether or not
all of data among the "channel change detail information" stored in
the channel change detail information table 34 have been processed.
If YES at step S12, the control flow proceeds to step S21 of FIG.
7. On the other hand, if NO at step S12, the control flow returns
to step S6 and the processing from steps S6 to S12 is repeatedly
executed.
[0069] At step S21 of FIG. 7, the apparatus controller 20 deletes
all of data in the channel shift list table 35. At step S22, the
apparatus controller 20 selects one unprocessed data among "the
channel change plan information" stored in the channel change plan
information table 32. At step S23, it is judged whether or not the
change date and time of the selected data is either "elapsed" or
older than or equal to the current date and time. If YES at step
S23, the control flow proceeds to step S24. On the other hand, if
NO at step S23, the control flow proceeds to step S31 of FIG. 8. At
step S24, the apparatus controller 20 receives the broadcast wave
on the physical channel of the selected data. At step S25, it is
judged whether or not the broadcast wave is receivable. If YES at
step S25, the control flow proceeds to step S26. On the other hand,
if NO at step S25, the control flow proceeds to step S27. At step
S26, it is judged that the broadcast wave of the selected data is
shifted to the physical channel after the change, the physical
channels before and after the change are stored in the channel
shift list table 35, and the control flow proceeds to step S28. At
step S27, it is judged that the broadcast wave of the selected data
is not shifted to the physical channel after the change, the
selected date is not stored in the channel shift list table 35, and
the control flow proceeds to step S28. At step S28, it is judged
whether or not all of data among the channel change plan
information stored in the channel change plan information table 32
have been processed. If YES at step S28, the control flow proceeds
to step S31 of FIG. 8. On the other hand, if NO at step S28, the
control flow returns to step S22 and the processing from steps S22
to S28 is repeatedly executed.
[0070] At step S31 of FIG. 8, it is judged whether or not data is
stored in the channel shift list table 35. If YES at step S31, the
control flow proceeds to step S32. On the other hand, if NO at step
S31, the processing for detecting, confirming, and notifying the
broadcast channel change is terminated. At step S32, it is judged
whether or not a channel shift list image display mode is set. If
YES at step S32, the control flow proceeds to step S33. On the
other hand, if NO at step S32, the control flow proceeds to step
S34. At step S33, the apparatus controller 20 allows the video
signal generator circuit 18 to generate the video signal including
an image of a message of the data stored in the channel shift list
table 35, and displays the video signal on the display 14. Then,
the processing for detecting, confirming, and notifying the
broadcast channel change is terminated. At step S34, it is judged
whether or not a channel shift list audio output mode is set. If
YES at step S34, the control flow proceeds to step S35. On the
other hand, if NO at step S34, the control flow proceeds to step
S36. At step S35, the apparatus controller 20 allows the audio
signal generator circuit 19 to generate an audio signal including a
voice of a message of the data stored in the channel shift list
table 35 by speech synthesis, and outputs the audio signal via the
loudspeakers 16A and 16B. Then, the processing for detecting,
confirming, and notifying the broadcast channel change is
terminated. At step S36, it is judged whether or not a preset
automatic change mode based on the channel shift list is set. If
YES at step S36, the control flow proceeds to step S37. On the
other hand, if NO at step S36, the processing for detecting,
confirming, and notifying the broadcast channel change is
terminated. At step S37, the channel preset information table 31 is
updated based on the data in the channel shift list table 35, and
the processing for detecting, confirming, and notifying the
broadcast channel change is terminated.
[0071] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a first processing for
executing a recording reservation, which is executed by the
apparatus controller 20 of FIG. 1. The first processing for
executing a recording reservation is a processing for executing a
"processing for confirming a broadcast channel" when a recording is
reserved and the recording is executed by the DVD recorder 17, in
the case where at least the "processing for detecting the broadcast
channel change" of FIG. 6 is terminated.
[0072] First of all, at step S41 of FIG. 9, the start date and time
for the recording reservation table 36 is compared with the current
date and time from the clock circuit 21. Then, it is judged whether
or not the start date and time for the recording reservation has
been elapsed. The processing at step S41 is repeatedly executed
until a judgment result at step S41 becomes YES. If YES, the
control flow proceeds to step S42. At step S42, a physical channel
corresponding to a key number in the recording reservation table 36
is searched with reference to the channel preset information table
31. At step S43, the apparatus controller 20 controls the broadcast
wave tuner circuit 10 to select the searched physical channel. At
step S44, it is judged whether or not channel selection has been
done successfully. If YES at step S44, the control flow proceeds to
step S45. On the other hand, if NO at step S44, the control flow
proceeds to step S46. At step S45, a recording process is executed
and terminated at an end date and time. Then, the first processing
for executing the recording reservation is terminated.
[0073] At step S46, the physical channel after the change is
searched from the searched physical channels with reference to the
channel change plan information table 32. At step S47, it is judged
whether or not the physical channel after the change is present. If
YES at step S47, the control flow proceeds to step S48. On the
other hand, if NO at step S47, the control flow proceeds to step
S51. At step S48, the apparatus controller 20 controls the
broadcast wave tuner circuit 10 to select the searched physical
channel after the change. At step S49, it is judged whether or not
the channel selection has been done successfully. If YES at step
S49, the control flow proceeds to step S50. On the other hand, if
NO at step S49, the control flow proceeds to step S51. At step S50,
the recording process is executed and terminated at the end date
and time. Then, the first processing for executing the recording
reservation is terminated. Further, at step S51, the apparatus
controller 20 allows the video signal generator circuit 18 to
generate a video signal regarding such a message that "broadcasting
station selected at start of recording reservation process was not
found, and execution of recording reservation process was failed"
and displays the video signal on the display 14. Then, the first
processing for executing the recording reservation is
terminated.
[0074] As stated so far, in the first processing for executing the
recording reservation of FIG. 9, when the selection of the physical
channel described in the channel preset information table 31 is
failed but the physical channel after the change is present in the
channel change plan information table 32, the physical channel
after the change is selected, and it is confirmed whether or not
the broadcast wave is actually transmitted. Thereafter, when the
channel selection is done successfully, the designated recording
process is executed. When the channel selection is failed, such a
message that the channel selection failed is displayed. Therefore,
it is possible to eliminate the user's labor for confirming whether
or not the broadcast wave is changed and whether or not the
broadcast wave is actually transmitted with reference to the
channel change plan information table 32. This leads to remarkable
improvement in the operability.
[0075] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a second processing for
executing a recording reservation, which is executed by the
apparatus controller 20 of FIG. 1. The second processing for
executing a recording reservation is a processing for executing the
"processing for confirming a broadcast channel" when a recording is
reserved and recording is executed by the DVD recorder 17, and when
at least the "processing for confirming the broadcast channel" of
FIG. 7 is terminated.
[0076] First of all, at step S61 of FIG. 10, the start date and
time of the recording reservation table 36 is compared with the
current date and time from the clock circuit 21. Then, it is judged
whether or not the start date and time for the recording
reservation has been elapsed. The processing at step S61 is
repeatedly executed until a judgment result becomes YES. If YES, at
step S62, a physical channel corresponding to a key number in the
recording reservation table 36 is searched with reference to the
channel preset information table 31. At step S63, the physical
channel after the change is searched from the searched physical
channel with reference to the channel shift list table 35. At step
S64, it is judged whether or not the physical channel after the
change is present. If YES at step 64, the control flow proceeds to
step S65. On the other hand, if NO at step S64, the control flow
proceeds to step S68. At step S65, the apparatus controller 20
controls the broadcast wave tuner circuit 10 to select the searched
physical channel after the change. At step S66, it is judged
whether or not the selection has been done successfully. If YES at
step S66, the control flow proceeds to step S67. On the other hand,
if NO at step S66, the control flow proceeds to step S68. At step
S67, a recording process is executed and terminated at an end date
and time. Then, the second processing for executing the recording
reservation is terminated. At step S68, the apparatus controller 20
allows the video signal generator circuit 18 to generate a video
signal regarding such a message that "broadcasting station selected
at start of recording reservation process was not found, and
execution of recording reservation process was failed" and displays
the video signal on the display 14. Then, the second processing for
executing the recording reservation is terminated.
[0077] As stated so far, in the second processing for executing the
recording reservation of FIG. 10, when the physical channel after
the change is present in the channel shift list table 35, the
physical channel after the change is selected, and it is confirmed
whether or not the broadcast wave is actually transmitted.
Thereafter, when the channel selection is done successfully, the
designated recording process is executed. When the channel
selection is failed, such a message that the channel selection
failed is displayed. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the
user's labor for confirming whether or not the broadcast wave is
changed and whether or not the broadcast wave is actually
transmitted with reference to the channel shift list table 35,
respectively. This leads to remarkable improvement in the
operability.
[0078] In the processing for detecting the broadcast channel change
of FIG. 6, the channel change plan information table 32 is created
based on the received "channel change information" and "channel
preset information". However, the present invention is not limited
to this. The channel change plan information table 32 may be
created, for example, based on the received "channel change
information" without executing the processing at step S8.
[0079] At steps S33 and S35 of FIG. 8, the message of the data in
the channel shift list table 35 is displayed or outputted by speech
output. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The
message may be notified by the other notification method. In
addition, both the notification processing for displaying the
message of the data in the channel shift list table 35, or for
outputting the message by the audio output, and the processing for
updating the channel preset information table 31 at step S37 may be
executed.
[0080] In the processing for notifying the broadcast channel of
FIG. 8, the display of the data, the audio output, and the update
of the channel preset information table 31 are executed based on
the channel shift list table 35. However, the present invention is
not limited to this. The display of the data, the audio output, and
the update of the channel preset information table 31 may be
executed based on the channel change plan information table 32.
[0081] In the preferred embodiments stated so far, the television
receiver apparatus includes the DVD recorder 17. Alternatively, the
television receiver apparatus may include a recording apparatus,
such as a videotape recorder or the like, in place of the DVD
recorder 17.
[0082] In the preferred embodiments stated so far, the television
receiver apparatus that includes functions of detecting,
confirming, and notifying the channel change includes the DVD
recorder 17. Alternatively, a recording apparatus, such as the DVD
recorder 17 or the like, including functions of detecting,
confirming, and notifying the channel change may be
constituted.
[0083] As stated so far, according to the preferred embodiment of
the present invention, the television receiver apparatus can search
and automatically detect the channel change plan information
including the change date and time regarding the physical channel
to be changed by the television receiver apparatus and the physical
channels before and after the change. Therefore, it is possible to
detect that the broadcast channel is changed without any user's
execution of the "channel search" or the like, and to prevent a
non-receivable state resulting from an error between the change
date and time of the channel planned by the broadcasting station
and an actual change date and time from being reflected in the
"preset information".
[0084] Furthermore, when the change date and time in the channel
change plan information is older than or equal to the current date
and time, the broadcast wave on the physical channel after the
change in the channel change plan information is received. Then, it
is judged whether or not the broadcast wave is actually receivable.
In addition, the physical channels before and after the change
regarding the broadcast wave that is actually receivable are stored
in the second storage means as the channel shift list. Therefore,
it is possible to confirm whether or not the broadcast wave on the
broadcast channel is actually receivable when the broadcast channel
change is detected.
[0085] Moreover, when the broadcast channel change is detected or
when the reception of the broadcast wave on the broadcast channel
is confirmed, it is possible to notify a user of such a message
that the broadcast channel change is detected or reception of the
broadcast wave on the broadcast channel is confirmed, or to update
the "preset information" appropriately.
[0086] In addition, the user can instantly recognize the channel
change without executing the channel search. Further, according to
the apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the present invention,
when the broadcasting station transmits in advance the planned date
and time information for changing the channel and the channel
information, the broadcasting station can issue such a notification
that can follow up an actual channel change by receiving the change
information in advance and receiving the channel at the date and
time even if the error of the date and time generates depending on
the broadcasting station.
[0087] Additionally, when the broadcast channel is changed, the
apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present
invention notifies the user of the change. Then, the user can be
notified of the timing for updating position information, and can
change the channel of the position. Therefore, it is possible to
prevent the broadcast wave from being received based on the older
channel information.
[0088] Furthermore, various modified preferred embodiments of the
present invention will be described below.
First Modified Preferred Embodiment
[0089] In a first modified preferred embodiment, a processing
executed at a timing corresponding to a execution timing of the
first processing for executing the recording reservation, and
executed when a recording is reserved or the recording reservation
is executed.
[0090] (1) The change plan information is previously known even
before a change from the data in the channel change plan
information table 32. Therefore, an alarm message may be notified
to the user at setting of an execution by displaying or speech
outputting so that the user may be notified that there is a
probability of failure of reservation to be set, at the execution
of the reservation since there is a probability of frequency
change. Alternatively, the entire data in the channel change plan
information 32 may be notified to the user.
[0091] (2) The change plan information is previously known even
before the change from the data in the channel change plan
information table 32. Therefore, an alarm message is notified the
user of by displaying or speech outputting. Thereafter, an
operation screen on which the user can input Yes or No is
displayed, such a message that "there is such a probability that
the frequency is changed when this recording reservation is
executed. At the execution of the recording reservation, select a
channel on a channel planned to be changed?" is displayed, and a
user's intention is displayed on the Yes or No operation screen.
When the user's answer is Yes, the recording reservation that is
set at this time is executed on the channel after the change. On
the other hand, when the user's answer is No, the recording
reservation is executed on the channel that is set at the recording
reservation setting.
Second Modified Preferred Embodiment
[0092] In a second modified preferred embodiment, a processing
executed at a timing corresponding to an execution timing when the
second processing for executing the recording reservation, and
executed when a recording is reserved or the recording reservation
is executed.
[0093] (1) The change plan information is previously known even
before the change from the data in the channel shift list table 35.
Therefore, an alarm message for the information may be notified to
the user by displaying or speech outputting at setting of a
reservation so that the user may be notified that there is a
probability of failure of reservation to be set at the execution of
the reservation since there is a probability of frequency change.
Alternatively, the entire data stored in the channel change plan
information 32 may be notified to the user.
[0094] (2) The change plan information is previously known even
before the change from the data in the channel shift list table 35.
Therefore, an alarm message for the information is notified to the
user by displaying or speech outputting. Thereafter, an operation
screen on which the user can input Yes or No is displayed, such a
message that "there is such a probability that frequency is changed
when this recording reservation is executed. At the execution of
the recording reservation, select channel on a channel planned to
be changed?" is displayed, and a user's intention is displayed on
the Yes or No operation screen. When a user's answer is Yes, the
recording reservation that is set at this time is executed on the
channel after the change. On the other hand, when the user's answer
is No, the recording reservation is executed on the channel that is
set during the recording reservation setting.
Third Modified Preferred Embodiment
[0095] In a channel selection operation when a user normally uses a
television receiver apparatus, the following processings may be
executed.
[0096] (1) When the user sets a channel or normally select a
channel but can not select the channel at a frequency before a
change, a control is executed so as to automatically reselect a
channel using a physical channel after the change, based on the
channel change plan information table 32 or the channel shift list
table 35. Advantageous effects for this are as follows. A broadcast
wave on a broadcast channel may possibly be stopped in the
nighttime. When a channel search timing after acquisition of the
channel change information, such as the SDTT or the like, coincides
with the time zone, it is expected that the broadcast wave can not
be correctly received even if the channel is changed, and that it
is impossible to judge whether or not the channel is changed.
However, by using the method, it is possible to increase the number
of timings when which the user can appropriately deal with such a
situation.
[0097] (2) When the user sets a channel or normally selects a
channel but cannot select the channel on a channel before a change,
an Yes or No operation screen may be displayed. When the user
inputs Yes, a control may be executed so as to automatically
reselect a channel based on information data in the channel change
plan information table 32 or the channel shift list tale 35. In
addition, the data in the channel preset information table 31 may
be updated. This leads to that, it is possible to increase
opportunities on which the broadcast wave can be correctly received
when the user sets a channel or normally selects a channel, and it
is possible to update the date in the channel preset information
table 31 into a latest state.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0098] As stated so far in detail, the broadcast channel change
detection apparatus according to the present invention can search
and automatically detect the channel change plan information
including the change date and time regarding the physical channel
to be changed by the television receiver apparatus, and the
physical channels before and after the change. Therefore, it is
possible to detect that the broadcast channel is changed without
any user's execution of the "channel search" or the like, and to
prevent a non-receivable state resulting from an error between the
change date and time of the channel planned by the broadcasting
station and an actual change date and time from being reflected in
the "preset information".
[0099] Furthermore, when the change date and time in the channel
change plan information is older than or equal to the current date
and time, the broadcast channel change detection apparatus receives
the broadcast wave on the physical channel after the change in the
channel change plan information, judges whether or not the
broadcast wave is actually receivable based on the detected channel
change plan information, and stores the physical channels before
and after the change regarding the broadcast wave that is actually
receivable in the second storage means as the channel shift list.
Therefore, it is possible to confirm whether or not the broadcast
wave on the broadcast channel is actually receivable when the
broadcast channel change is detected.
[0100] Moreover, when the broadcast channel change is detected or
the reception of the broadcast wave on the broadcast channel is
confirmed, it is possible to notify the user of such a message that
the broadcast channel change is detected or reception of the
broadcast wave on the broadcast channel is confirmed, or to update
the "preset information" appropriately.
* * * * *